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Three days after security cameras caught two armed and masked men jumping into a Nissan Maxima after they robbed National Transport of twenty thousand dollars, police have found the car. When 7NEWS arrived at the Queen Street Police Station today, the car was being processed by scenes of crime technicians. Today officer in charge of Crimes Investigation in Belize City Julio Valdez told us that the discovery did lead them to one of their three suspects.

Jacqueline Godwin,
I understand that there was a break in the case, it was made yesterday when police received information of a car, possibly the vehicle used in the armed robbery at National Transport Services. I understand that tip led police to a resident in Hattieville where the car was recovered?

Julio Valdez,
“Yes Jackie. As you rightly mentioned based on certain information received police responded to an area in Hattieville where a vehicle, a grey Maxima was recovered and this has been identified as the vehicle used at the National Transport Limited robbery.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
It was recovered at a house?

Julio Valdez,
“Yes at a house, a yard. I am not sure who is living at that house because the house was closed at the time but police investigation continues into the matter and at this point in time we have one of the suspects in custody. I am not sure whether he was the driver or not but he is in custody where he is presently being interviewed.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
Can you also confirm to us information that we’ve received and that is that at this resident, the police also recovered some of the stolen money along with some receipts?

Julio Valdez,
“Yes some money has been recovered also.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
From that residence?

Julio Valdez,
“From that residence.”

The police would not confirm if the suspect in custody is the driver of the Nissan Maxima who has been identified as one Justin McLaughlin. There are also unconfirmed reports that police found the vehicle and some of the stolen loot at the home of a friend of his. What the police have determined is that the robbers made off with total of twenty thousand, eight hundred and twenty four dollars and ninety five cents in cash.

7NEWS has been reliably informed that National Transport Services Limited has now hired the services of a private investigator because the company strongly believes the crime may have been the result of an inside job. So far no word on whether anyone so far will be rewarded the five thousand dollars being offered by the bus company for the arrest and conviction of the suspects.

Armed Men Holdup Marlin’s Restaurant & Rene’s Store

Belize City police have yet to make any arrest in two separate robberies that occurred on Tuesday at two business establishments. In the first case, seventy one year old Juanita Young, the owner of Marlin Restaurant and Bar on Regent Street West just after three yesterday when two men walked in. One of them pulled out a handgun, grabbed the elderly woman by her blouse and demanded money. He then aimed the gun at nineteen year old Fermina Bull and snatched a gold chain from her neck. They then rifled through the cash draw and took two hundred and fifty dollars. And for good measure, on their way out the men stole a wedding band from a female patron’s finger.

Some six hours around 9:15 in the night, a sixty five year old man was the victim of another hold up and robbery. Belizean businessman Raymond Yu told police that he was standing in front of Rene’s Store on Cemetery Road when he was approached by four men in a black car. One of the men pointed a gun at him and robbed him of one thousand dollars in cash plus a cell phone valued at one hundred and twenty five dollars and his social security card. While the thieves managed to get away without being caught the victim did manage to get a look at the vehicle’s license plate number which is C – 19733.

If you can assist the police in any of the robberies contact the nearest police station or call 0-800-922-TIPS.